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Post by flyfishermann1955 on Apr 27, 2021 5:43:53 GMT -6
I've been wondering why there is so little activity (lack of new posts and replies) on this Message Board? I enjoyed keeping up on LMF activity by reading what people posted, looking at fish pictures, and seeing what patterns people were tying.
I exchanged a PM with another long-time member on this topic, so I know I'm not the only person who is curious. I hope it picks up again! What is up?
Thanks- Ken
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Post by greyghost on Apr 27, 2021 6:01:45 GMT -6
To paraphrase Yogi Berra; nobody fishes there anymore, it's too crowded.
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Post by dannys on Apr 27, 2021 9:44:41 GMT -6
We got a little traffic for a day or two Ken, then it started to slow to a crawl. Not sure why but maybe.....
Greyghost, is onto something. I do recall folks reporting crowded conditions as the RV sites were full, people were out and about. Likely due to the fact that camping was a "safe" way to be out of the city and escape some of the pandemic edicts. Usually, the board sees more activity during the fall, winter and early spring, but not this year. Maybe we will get some reports from the Colorado venturers this year.
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Post by FlyAndStream on Apr 27, 2021 19:33:16 GMT -6
I'd say it's cause we caught all the fish, there's nothing left to report 🤷♂️
Kidding aside, my visits have dropped to about once a month.
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Post by turfdawg on Apr 28, 2021 4:46:58 GMT -6
I'd say it's cause we caught all the fish, there's nothing left to report 🤷♂️ Kidding aside, my visits have dropped to about once a month. Slacker
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Post by mirvc17 on Apr 28, 2021 10:45:41 GMT -6
My local CO tailwater has had low flows for months now, but the fishing was pretty good last week. The crowds are picking up and you’ve got to get to the river pretty early.
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Post by sulross on May 17, 2021 10:52:05 GMT -6
I have noticed this, too. On my end, it definitely corresponds to my lack of trips to fish the LMF the past year. It has nothing to do with the fishing, but since there are not any first-come/first-serve campsites any longer, I don't risk the drive over to find the park full. It's 3.5 hours and just not worth it. The three times I tried to get on to find a campsite during the fall and winter, I couldn't find anything anywhere for three weeks. Sadly, this has completely killed the 4-6 times/year I used to drive out on a Friday after work because I realized my weekend opened up. These days, I head to other areas such as the Guadalupe or Blue rivers where I know I can find a place to throw my tent. I'm a teacher and just don't have the funds to drop on hotels and fish the amount of days I want to fish each month. So...I go where I know I can find a tent site.
That being said, I am bringing up a group of teaching colleagues this weekend to hike and see the area. Two of them want to try their hand at fly fishing, so we will be on the water a few hours each day. With a group of 10 of us, I rented a cabin and we split the cost. I am looking forward to being back on the LMF and dropping by the fly shop. It will be my first visit since Coach passed.
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Post by captwoody on May 17, 2021 15:15:37 GMT -6
I have the same issue trying to find a campsite for my RV. They stayed booked up. I wonder if they are actually that full or have a lot of no-shows.
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Post by breeden3 on May 18, 2021 9:04:18 GMT -6
I have the same issue trying to find a campsite for my RV. They stayed booked up. I wonder if they are actually that full or have a lot of no-shows. They definitely stay booked up. The park is rarely never busy anymore!
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Post by turfdawg on May 18, 2021 18:15:01 GMT -6
I have the same issue trying to find a campsite for my RV. They stayed booked up. I wonder if they are actually that full or have a lot of no-shows. They definitely stay booked up. The park is rarely never busy anymore! I never thought I would hear myself say that they need traffic lights 🚦 in Hochatown. But they need traffic lights now that it is so busy.
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Post by jlynch on May 19, 2021 6:17:32 GMT -6
I have noticed this, too. On my end, it definitely corresponds to my lack of trips to fish the LMF the past year. It has nothing to do with the fishing, but since there are not any first-come/first-serve campsites any longer, I don't risk the drive over to find the park full. It's 3.5 hours and just not worth it. The three times I tried to get on to find a campsite during the fall and winter, I couldn't find anything anywhere for three weeks. Sadly, this has completely killed the 4-6 times/year I used to drive out on a Friday after work because I realized my weekend opened up. These days, I head to other areas such as the Guadalupe or Blue rivers where I know I can find a place to throw my tent. I'm a teacher and just don't have the funds to drop on hotels and fish the amount of days I want to fish each month. So...I go where I know I can find a tent site. That being said, I am bringing up a group of teaching colleagues this weekend to hike and see the area. Two of them want to try their hand at fly fishing, so we will be on the water a few hours each day. With a group of 10 of us, I rented a cabin and we split the cost. I am looking forward to being back on the LMF and dropping by the fly shop. It will be my first visit since Coach passed. I’m usually a tent camper as well! Most of my trips are last minute and I can’t find a spot here lately, but if it helps I’ve had great luck with availability and cleanliness at the hochatown lodge. I know it’s not always in everyone’s budget, but if you tell them your fishing they knock it down to $75 or $79.
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Post by 3rdcoast on May 25, 2021 9:23:39 GMT -6
I've been up to the river a few times in the past months. Fishing has been relatively good. I usually do some hiking and fish the spillway on the weekends. I was also there during the Snowvid event in Feb. Fishing in that cold of weather was challenging to say the least. My dad did manage to get some nice fish at the bluffs before the temp really dropped.
I did try to post some pics a few weeks ago of trip to the Llano River, but got a message that the site was maxed out....wouldn't let me upload the pics. I was there in March. My son ended up catching a few of the leftover stocked trout. I also caught some Guad bass. Both trout and Guad's were caught on buggers in fast runs with structure. The river is very pretty and picturesque. I was a little outside of Mason, Tx.
Hope everyone is doing well!
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Post by sulross on May 25, 2021 14:22:27 GMT -6
I made it up with my co-workers this past weekend and I am so happy I did. The traffic (foot and vehicle) was crazy, but I accepted that this is simply the way it will be from here out. The Bluffs got overrun with tubers, swimmers, and recreation people, but I was able to find lots of space in the river by walking. There are fish everywhere. I didn't hit the Spillway, but the pull off spots looked fairly normal with 3-5 trucks at each one. I forgot how much I love the feeling of being in the park on the LMF. Away from the busier parts, it is such a peaceful place full of amazing amounts of life. I caught some really solid bows and lost a nice brown literally as it spooked from the net as I tried to land it (I was using 6X fluoro tippet and horsed him a bit much and paid for it). I caught my first fish with a lamprey attached to it. It was great going into the fly shop and seeing everything moving and hopping. Good to see you briefly, Peter; sorry we won't be able to squeeze in a run to Lake City in late July. I will be a road warrior through summer, but the LMF is back in my rotation when I return. COVID interrupted it, but won't continue to do so.
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Post by darrelln09 on Jun 11, 2021 17:17:39 GMT -6
I'm guilty of a lack of activity as well but I changed jobs and moved out of state so that's a partial excuse. Living back in North Dakota now and helping on the family farm. It's only been about 40 years since I've been through spring planting. Too cold ... Too hot ... Too dry ... Too windy ... and yet it finally rained and cooled off last night!
I do plan to post a fly pic because I finally had time to do some tying.
Also, I plan on being in Branson, MO the last 3 days in July for the MTFA Fly Fishing Expo. I'm going to be one of the fly tying demonstrators again and I've got something BIG for this year. More on that later ...
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Post by FlyAndStream on Jun 11, 2021 20:02:18 GMT -6
Hopefully you have a Crane Creek up there, Darrell!
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Post by jonbo on Jun 14, 2021 5:22:56 GMT -6
Well, Darrell, don't farm too hard. No excuses, though. We expect you to make it the next time we have Trout Camp. ("Oh, it's too far!") Seriously though, we had a great time, didn't we? May the rains always come on time for you and yours!
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Post by darrelln09 on Jun 14, 2021 21:56:33 GMT -6
Hopefully you have a Crane Creek up there, Darrell! There’s nothing like it way up here. Rapid City will probably be the best bet but it is 7 hours away. The Driftless Region is slightly closer so I’ll be checking that out as well.
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Post by darrelln09 on Jun 14, 2021 21:59:46 GMT -6
Well, Darrell, don't farm too hard. No excuses, though. We expect you to make it the next time we have Trout Camp. ("Oh, it's too far!") Seriously though, we had a great time, didn't we? May the rains always come on time for you and yours! I’m not sure if farming will be a year-around gig but if it is I’ll make every attempt possible to be at Trout Camp. It’s definitely been a great time every year I’ve been there.
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Post by gui on Jun 15, 2021 14:10:33 GMT -6
Yeah it's been a while since I've posted a report too, even though I've had some good trips to the river this year. I guess in my case the excuse is our one-year old daughter and working on house improvements/repairs. Taking on too many home projects seems to have been a side effect of the pandemic and working from home. I'm actually looking forward to being progressively back full-time at the university and... having more time at home!
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Post by PapaBear on Jun 16, 2021 11:27:52 GMT -6
Hopefully you have a Crane Creek up there, Darrell! There’s nothing like it way up here. Rapid City will probably be the best bet but it is 7 hours away. The Driftless Region is slightly closer so I’ll be checking that out as well. Darrell, My wife and I will be in Rapid City in September. It's not a fishing trip but I'm always prepared to fish. I was going to stop by Dakota Angler and Outfitters for info on public access for a 1/2 day outing. Do you know any good spots?
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Post by darrelln09 on Jun 16, 2021 14:56:10 GMT -6
There’s nothing like it way up here. Rapid City will probably be the best bet but it is 7 hours away. The Driftless Region is slightly closer so I’ll be checking that out as well. Darrell, My wife and I will be in Rapid City in September. It's not a fishing trip but I'm always prepared to fish. I was going to stop by Dakota Angler and Outfitters for info on public access for a 1/2 day outing. Do you know any good spots? There are lots of good spots out there! And September seems like a good month to go (cooler temperatures, sightseeing crowds thinning out). I encourage you to hire a guide at Dakota Angler, even for half a day. I did that the first time out there and he was extremely helpful. Barring that … The inlets of Pactola Reservoir hold some very big rainbows. My daughter caught a 24-incher - her first trout ever! From there, go up above the reservoir and fish Rapid Creek starting at Silver City. Nice rainbows and browns up there and it’s a great section for Euro Nymphing if that’s your style. Rapid Creek also flows out of the reservoir and down through Rapid City but I have not fished that section … yet. Castle Creek has also been good for rainbows, browns, and brooks although it’s a small creek so the fish are smaller. It’s nice though because it’s fed by a controlled outlet out of Deerfield Lake so the flow is usually just right. It’s also nice because it’s a winding stream through a grassy meadow with very few trees along it. Spearfish Creek is a nice one too. We’ve caught both browns and rainbows there. The creek flows through one of the most spectacular scenic canyons you’ll ever see. The drive through on highway 14A alone is worth it. I’ve mainly fished from Cheyenne Crossing down to Savoy but you can fish higher up and all the way down through Spearfish. We’ve had some great dry fly action below Savoy at a place called The Devil’s Bathtub. If you browse the Dakota Angler website you will find their fishing reports which are usually very good. They put up a new one about every two weeks so the information is usually up-to-date. I’ve written about my trips to the Black Hills here!
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Post by PapaBear on Jun 17, 2021 10:41:30 GMT -6
Darrell,
EXCELLENT! We fly in on a Tuesday morning and plan to walk around town and visit Dakota Angler 1st thing. We will have three full days there and fly out Saturday.
Thank you
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Post by gui on Jun 24, 2021 11:10:28 GMT -6
I scored a campsite at the park last minute for this weekend. Most likely I'll be going solo, and if anyone from the forum is also out there and want to share a beer on Friday or Saturday night, I'll be at Grapevine #GV027. Dark blue VW station wagon. Cheers! Gui
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Post by FlyAndStream on Jun 24, 2021 16:50:09 GMT -6
Probably not staying too long to fish Sunday?
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Post by gui on Jun 24, 2021 17:37:58 GMT -6
Probably not staying too long to fish Sunday? I should be hanging around Sunday until about 3pm, likely by the spillway You’ll be there?
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